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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

Saturday, December 25, 1993

             REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AND THE FIRST LADY
             IN VIDEOTAPED HOLIDAY ADDRESS TO THE NATION
             
                    The Diplomatic Reception Room

THE PRESIDENT: On this Christmas day all over our nation, Americans are gathering in celebration of faith and family and tradition.

MRS. CLINTON: This season has a special magic. It may be cold outside, but we all feel an inner warmth. We are renewed with every kindness we give and receive. The celebration is as big as the world, and yet, it is as private as every Christmas wish that a child of any age has ever dreamed.

THE PRESIDENT: So on this day, our greatest gift is the one within -- the emergence and the sharing of our better selves. Our Christmas prayer is that each of us be given the strength to bring peace and goodwill to every community and to every American, especially to every child. Peace for them is our greatest wish.

We are especially grateful to the men and women of our Armed Forces who are overseas this holiday away from their own families, preserving the freedoms that the rest of us cherish. We wish all Americans a joyous and blessed holiday.

Merry Christmas.

MRS. CLINTON: And a happy New Year.

END